Average User Rating

The GoodStripped of all superfluous features, the Logitech UE Boombox gives a respectful nod to designers Rams and Ive, while an easy-to-use Bluetooth connection powers the speaker's impressive sound output.

The BadThough its rechargeable battery and integrated carrying handle encourage portability, the company mysteriously leaves out a travel case to protect it from dings and scratches while in transit.

The $250 Logitech UE Boombox is certainly under a lot of pressure to perform, being one of the first speakers systems to bear the company's joint moniker after Logitech acquired Ultimate Ears back in 2008. Its nomenclature is similar to the Logitech Wireless Boombox for iPad's, but the company retooled the hardware from the ground up to support eight internal drivers and a sophisticated new appearance that borrows aesthetics from legendary designers Dieter Rams and Jonathan Ive. Its sculpted construction, logical simplicity, and booming sound earn this device a solid recommendation for music lovers shopping for an audio solution to use in and out of the home.

Design and features Most users won't even recognize Logitech's hand in the Boombox's design; the only branding on the speaker is a small UE logo on the front grille. The similarities to Braun's T1000 shortwave radio are undeniable, from the brushed and perforated aluminum housing to the looped carrying handle on top.

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In fact, Logitech's spokesperson told me that the team borrowed heavily from Braun designer Deiter Rams and his 10 principles of good design that stress a clear order and pragmatism.

Sarah Tew/CNET

The Boombox can play music over a wireless Bluetooth connection or through a classic wired setup using an external 3.5mm cable. The left side of the 15.2-inch-long rectangular speaker houses a vertical row of buttons and ports, logically laid out and easy to use without poring over the manual: a large Bluetooth connect button at the top to put the speaker in pairing mode, a simple power switch, a 3.5mm auxiliary input port to connect external devices, and a power port on the bottom to juice the 6-hour rechargeable battery.

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On the right side, you'll find two large volume buttons with clearly marked positive and negative symbols to denote intensity.

Controls to pair a Bluetooth-enabled device are simple enough and very similar to those found on other Bluetooth speakers. Make sure your music player's Bluetooth profile is tuned to discovery mode, hold down the Bluetooth button, click on UE Boombox in your device settings, and the handshake is complete. Unlike the Wireless Boombox for iPad, the UE Boombox supports up to three simultaneous Bluetooth sources at a time, so you can easily connect your iPad, iPhone, and laptop and simply toggle playback as you wish.

About The Author

Justin Yu covers headphones and peripherals for CNET. When he's not wading through Web gulch or challenging colleagues to typing tests, you can find him making fun of technology with Jeff Bakalar every afternoon on The 404 show.